Category Archives: Grammar

How to Describe a Painting using ‘Wh…?’ questions

Posted on December 3, 2025 by mhardy3222

‘The family of Darius before Alexander’ by Paolo Veronese 1565-1570 ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦  Greetings English learners! How would … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Leave a comment

A song with (mostly) Present Tenses

Posted on November 13, 2025 by mhardy3222

Have you heard the latest song by RAYE – Where is my husband? I just love it! It’s fun, clever, and addictive. Watch the Official Music Video on YouTube. The subtitles are very helpful especially for English learners. Rachel, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Songs, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Sensational, Skilful Semicolons!

Posted on November 3, 2025 by mhardy3222

What the ….. !!    Not another SEMICOLON !! What is a  Semicolon? Let’s have a look. ; a) Spiderman is my favourite Super Hero; he’s my favourite person! b) Spiderman is my favourite Super Hero; actually, I still really like Superman.   What … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), TOEFL, TOEIC, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | 1 Comment

A Song with “Don’t Have To”

Posted on August 11, 2025 by mhardy3222

Have you heard the song ‘Bloodline‘ by Alex Warren and Jelly Roll? The song is a message of hope and encouragement to *break the cycle of past pain and struggles.  *break the cycle = end a repetitive, negative pattern, often … Continue reading →

Posted in Elementary (Level 2), Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Songs | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How AI Can Help You Learn English Faster and Smarter

Posted on April 22, 2025 by mhardy3222

Since starting this blog in 2013, I’ve been passionate about helping learners of English around the world—especially those learning it as a second or third language. One of my favourite methods is using songs to teach grammar, and many of … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Elementary (Level 2), ESL Teachers, Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Writing | Tagged | 1 Comment

A Song with Present Simple & Past Simple

Posted on January 22, 2025 by mhardy3222

Did you know that the Present Simple is the most commonly used tense in spoken and written English? It accounts for between *50-60% of English communication. The second most commonly used tense is the Past Simple with nearly *20% usage.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Beginner (Level 1), Elementary (Level 2), Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Listening, Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Songs, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Vocabulary | Tagged | 1 Comment

MUST – The Most Misunderstood Modal!

Posted on September 1, 2024 by mhardy3222

Greetings English Learners!  Do you remember when you first learned the meaning of ‘must’? Must = Rules and Obligation. You must obey the road rules! You must not be late! Doctor: You must take two pills with food daily for … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, IELTS, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

English Inversion #1: Why? When? How?

Posted on October 26, 2023 by mhardy3222

One of the first things you learn when you start learning English is the word order in sentences. The subject comes before the verb:  SUBJECT                           VERB you                                        learn … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | Leave a comment

Relative Clauses #11: Advanced non-defining Relative Clauses

Posted on August 5, 2023 by mhardy3222

First, read the earlier posts on Relative Clauses, especially #3 and #6. Advanced non-defining Relative Clauses are not as difficult as their name suggests. There are only two Relative Clause Pronouns used, whom & which, and the Relative Clause is usually … Continue reading →

Posted in Advanced (Level 6+), Cambridge, Grammar, IELTS, Relative Clauses, Upper Intermediate (Level 5), Writing | 1 Comment

Gerunds & Infinitives – What is the difference?

Posted on May 27, 2023 by mhardy3222

GERUNDS Gerunds are usually nouns but they are different from other nouns because they are made from verbs. ∗ Changing verbs into other forms: nouns or adjectives, for example, is common in many languages. Think about how your language changes … Continue reading →

Posted in Grammar, Intermediate (Level 4), Pre-Intermediate (Level 3), TOEIC, Upper Intermediate (Level 5) | 2 Comments